One of John Browning’s earliest automatic pistol designs, the Colt 1902 Military model was built upon his earlier creation, the Model 1900. Produced under Browning's patent by Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company, the Colt 1902 Military sought to improve upon initial designs.
The Model 1900, often referred to as the 'sight safety' due to its distinctive safety mechanism, had been submitted to the United States for military trials in hopes of being adopted as a standard weapon. However, the military declined to adopt this design, suggesting improvements instead.
Research and development continued as shipments to the US Military for trials began on July 15, 1902, with serial numbers 15001-15100. A second shipment followed on July 25, containing serial numbers 15101-15200. Ultimately, the military also rejected the Colt 1902 Military, requesting a larger caliber projectile and significant design changes, which eventually led to the creation of the Model 1911 pistol.
Improvements to the Colt 1902 Military were requested based on extensive gun research and the evolution of historical firearms, as follows:
- slide lock & release lever
- checkered/cross-hatch front slide serrations
- spring-loaded takedown plug for easier field stripping
- swivel mounted lanyard ring on the left side of the frame
- standard dovetail-mounted rear sight
- checkered hard rubber grips
- magazine capacity increase to 8 rounds from 7.
To accommodate the increased magazine capacity, a longer grip area was needed on the frame, which also provided convenient room for the lanyard. John Browning addressed these enhancements, put them into production, and thus the Model 1902 was born.
Colt began offering commercial military models of the 1902 Military model in July of 1902. The serial numbers for these firearms started at 15000 and proceeded in reverse order. By the end of December 1902, approximately 75 pistols had been shipped, all of which fell within the 149XX range, making them significant specimens for gun research among historical firearms enthusiasts.
One particularly noteworthy example is the exceptionally early serial number 14857, which represents the 144th Colt 1902 Military produced, shipped on January 16, 1903.
For a complete, year-by-year master database of all early Colt automatic serial numbers, we highly recommend checking out ColtAutos.com
Resting over its own reflection, the handgun highlights the swivel-mounted lanyard loop attached to the lower left corner of the lengthened frame grip, a textbook tactical feature for early cavalry use.
The Colt 1902 Military Model is chambered exclusively in .38 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol). It is important to note that .38 ACP is a distinct historical cartridge and should never be confused with or substituted for modern, high-pressure .38 Super ammunition, which can damage antique firearms.
The easiest way to identify a Military Model is by checking the frame length and the left-side heel. The Military variant features a lengthened square grip frame to hold an 8-round magazine, along with a distinct swivel-mounted lanyard ring on the lower-left corner. The Sporting variant holds only 7 rounds, has a rounded heel, and lacks a lanyard loop.
Colt produced approximately 18,068 Military Models between the years 1902 and 1928. Because early commercial production initially ran in a reverse descending serial number sequence starting at 15000, specimens like Serial 14857 represent some of the earliest surviving units from the first months of production. It is important to note that in 1907 the serials changed to ascending order, resuming at 15201 and continuing to 15999, before making a large jump to 30200. Serials of the 1902 Military model then continued in ascending order until the end of production in 1928.
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